We have consumed, I am embarrassed to say, three cream teas at this point. We had one in Cheddar, one in Trebarwith Strand (who could resist that sign?), and one in Padstow yesterday.

The one in Cheddar wins Best Clotted Cream, and Greatest Lashings of Clotted Cream. That little bowl was brimming, at the outset.

The one in Trebarwith Strand wins Best-looking Clotted Cream and Best Teapot, though you can't see the pot in the pic.

But the one in Padstow wins Best Strawberry Jam, Best Scones, Best-tasting Tea, and a special mention for including scrumptious fresh strawberries on the plate. Even though it was a touristy take-away, mostly ice cream shop that served the tea as bags in mugs, the Padstow location wins in most categories. Omigosh it was good.

Friday, March 30, 2012

We elected not to follow our walk up with any activity. So we sat around the rest of the day. I peered over the lip to nab a couple of beach photos; Vic actually strolled the beach, exerting more energy than I had remaining.

While we were enjoying a cup of tea, a gaggle of young surfer dudes sat at the next table. I was thinking: Great. Now we get to hear them harass young women on their way to the beach. Or to deal with their explosive exclamations over text messages without startling. (Go ahead, label me.)

Instead, they took out a beat-up wooden case containing a backgammon board, and began to play. I realized that I had heard no harassment (though among my own generation there was evidence of unwarranted paternalism), and seen not a single young person focused on his/her phone or texting, during our stay. So call me age-ist. It is welcome to witness such humble, human interaction.

When I asked some of the young men if I could get a picture, they must have thought I wanted them to photograph us. They were very surprised to be the focus.

In case you don't know, Tintagel is associated with a seat of power that was once occupied by Arthur, or the man associated with the legend of Arthur. No extracting swords from stones, of course. For reasons lost to history(!), I have long enjoyed the romantic tales of the Knights of the Round Table. Hence my return, trip after trip, to Tintagel.

This would be my first time walking from a nearby coastal settlement, though. And I found the views just amazing.

Victor descended to the beach. Though that was permitted the very first time I came to Tintagel, it was restricted on every subsequent journey. The pictures from his descent will have to wait ten days--I can't transfer them--but here are more of the mainland ruins: